That night was the city-sponsored 2000 Apollo Night Finals at the Fox Theatre, where 18 winning finalists of previous preliminary Apollo nights, held all over the Stockton area, competed for first place. Started in 1996, Apollo Night features local talent from ages five to 21 who perform a diverse selection of acts, from choreographed dance to solo vocalists.
Apollo Night Finals ended with two victories for Bear Creek students: dance group Ground Zero took home a second place trophy and junior Bronche Taylor won fourth with his a capella version of "Amazing Grace."
With all of their experience under their belt, it was no surprise that Ground Zero (seniors Tameesha Saffold, Nicole Riley and Tyrell Washington, juniors Julian Reanos and Jessica Cochran, and sophomore Andrea Lee) won second place. The unique, veteran hip hop dance group performed at the Boys and Girls Club, the 1999 Apollo Night Finals and Bear Creek's own Apollo Night, talent show and homecoming rally, as well as other local performances. The audience was so responsive to its performance that they sang along with the group's eclectic array of songs.
Ground Zero said that the recognition at Apollo Night will help further their careers as performers.
"All of us (in Ground Zero) who are graduating this year are all majoring in music when we begin college," Cochran said.
Taylor is also no stranger to performing. Singing for as long as he can remember, Taylor describes himself as a "very animated person." His performance of "Amazing Grace" won enthusiastic feedback from his audience at the competition and he took home a fourth place trophy.
"I was content just being one of the finalists," Taylor said. "I was tired from Speech and Debate, as well as rehearsing for Apollo Night, but I had a lot of fun."
Their acts at Fox Theatre also gave the rising young stars more experience when it came to performing and teamwork.
"We would all fight backstage because everyone kept forgetting the steps since we were all so nervous," Cochran said. "But as soon as we got on stage, that changed. We all worked together and it paid off. Everyone saw how hard we worked at Apollo Night."
Though the performers were delighted to have made the top five, Ground Zero and Taylor enjoyed the other performances at the show as well.
"What I love most about Apollo Night was the diversity of acts in the show," Taylor said. "Different age groups, different types of performances. It showed that anyone can make it."
Auditions for Round 2 Apollo Night will be held at Bear Creek. Spring and summer auditons are being held now. Call 546-1622 for more information.